Democratic Sentinel, Volume 22, Number 43, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 November 1898 — Burns Won the Dinner. [ARTICLE]

Burns Won the Dinner.

There is a story told of Robert Burns in his youth. Burns was living in the town of Ayr, and though still young had attained more than a local reputation as a poet. One day he was passing through the main street of the town, and saw two strangers sitting at one of the inn windows. With idle curiosity he stopped to look at them. Seeing him, and thinking thatfcthe rustic might afford them some amusement while waiting, the strangers called him in and asked Mm to dine with them. Burns readily accepted the invitation, and proved a merry, entertaining guest. When dinner was nearly finished, the strangers suggested that each should try his hand at versemaking, and that the one who failed to write a rhyme should pay for the dinner. They felt secure in the challenge, believing that their rustic guest would pay for the meal. The rhymes were written, and Burns read the following: “I, Johnny' Peep, saw two sheep; two sheep saw me. Half a crown apiece will pay for their fleece, and I, Johnny Peep, go free.” The strangers’ astonishment was great, and they both exclaimed: “Who are you? You must be Robbie Burns!”